Fixed points in the Proms come in many guises. One of these, never formally announced as such but an annual staple nevertheless, is the season's Oliver Knussen Prom. The Olly Prom has its own fixed points, too: a clutch of contemporary, mainly British pieces; often one by Knussen himself; something from an earlier composer Knussen particularly reveres; it's always a longer-than-usual concert evening; and sadly, all too often, attendance is small but select. "No one empties a hall quite like Olly," one of his admirers admitted on Saturday. But some of the giants of Knussen's generation were there all the same.

And one more thing – the Olly Prom is always a big musical learning experience in a way few concerts are. Knussen doesn't just conduct his own concerts; he curates them, too. There's a real sense of them reflecting his formidable mind and his interests. It's impossible not to be drawn in. Not enough people come. But I bet none of them leave early.

This one, marking Knussen's 60th birthday this summer, was no exception. It began with an exemplary account of Alexander Goehr's Metamorphosis/Dance, fresh and crystalline, the orchestration wonderfully restrained. Then came Knussen's own pivotal third symphony, compact and powerful, a little too structurally contrived in some ways, but compellingly directed and awash with beauties, the BBC Symphony Orchestra responding to all the challenges.

Next a world premiere: Helen Grime's Night Songs, a birthday tribute to Knussen, a zippy and spacious miniature played not just once but twice (always a great idea with a premiere), though only because Olly had dropped his glasses and felt he hadn't done it justice first time. Finally, beguilingly, Debussy's rarely performed Martyrdom of St Sebastian, the performance showcasing Knussen's unfussy but firm direction, an idiomatic solo soprano from Claire Booth, and some ravishing work from chorus and orchestra.

• Available on iPlayer until 1 September. Total Immersion 2012-2013: Oliver Knussen at 60 is at the Barbican Centre in November. Box office: 020-7638 8891. If you're at any Prom this summer, tweet your thoughts about it to @guardianmusic using the hashtag #proms and we'll pull what you've got to say into one of our weekly roundups – or leave your comments below.